SHILLONG, JUNE 3: The opposition Congress today said it will expose the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government for “looting” the state and assured that nobody will be allowed to go scot-free.
The decision was taken at the recently held CLP meeting which has raised concern and resolved to take up the issue related to illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state.
According to the party, delaying the transportation of coal is a modus operandi of the state government to facilitate illegal mining at the cost of the interest of the state and its people.
“We will be pursuing this issue and we will expose this government and nobody is going to go scot free I assure the people of the state,” Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma told reporters here on Monday.
Stating that the state is in a big problem, Sangma said there is a problem in respect of mismanagement of resources and in respect of blatant interference by the people in power with regards to the revenue realization in the state.
Questioning the reason behind the Saturday’s massive traffic jam, the former chief minister said what is being reported off and on (pertaining to the issue) by the media, they are just tip of the ice berg.
“Something is going on where the revenue which would be accrued to the government’s exchequer is being looted. It is a very serious allegation. I have been hearing this from all concerns coming from friends who are in the ruling government. I told them frankly why are you hiding,” he said.
Alleging that the government is engaging in a dangerous trend of manipulating the institutions of governance, Sangma said when these institutions are tampered upon and misused you will have serious ramification in the whole affairs of governance.
He also warned that the state will sink because the institutions are defiled, manipulated and misused adding “You will leave behind institution which is completely corrupt, insensitive and incompetent in dealing with overall real challenges of governance and this what is happening in the state now.”
The Leader of Opposition said there are number of instances which are indicative of what is happening. You have one report saying a coal laden truck turned turtle…that means something is happening with the patronage (of the government).
Sangma said once this patronage gets dislocated because of resistance from the officers, the officers are being transferred. “You look at the transfers and postings that will give you the indication you follow the reasons of frequent transfer and posting of officers who matters…This is a serious concern,” he said.
Asked whether the party would demand for an independent inquiry into the matter, the Congress leader however said the illegal transportation of coal is happening because it is an illegal consignment and it is as simple as that.
“If in spite of that they (government) deny that means they are trying to defend. You look at the records they are trying to deny it both outside and inside the House I have number occasion said is it so blatantly possible for the head of the government, political executives to deny and hide on what is happening. Do they think they will go scot-free no, they will not go scot-free,” he said.
According to him, the transportation of coal has already been denied by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). However, based on the appeal of the miners, the Supreme Court had given certain period of time to complete transportation and sale of coal which is residue of the mining activities prior to the ban of coal mining by the NGT in 2014.
Also stating that the Supreme Court has given this relief to complete the coal which is part of the inventory, he however alleged “Today I am telling you frankly that the coal transportation that has happened during this period of time given by the Court is not part of the inventory which means the government has allowed transportation of coal which was not captured in the inventory. Now how will they disprove it when we have proved it?”
“Did you see any prompt action from the government in issuing challans to facilitate and complete the residual coal as per inventory has it happen? No, it didn’t happen they delay and delay and they have audacity to say due to various reasons they cannot complete this time also they say the same and that they will again appeal before the Supreme Court for extending the time for transportation,” Sangma added
The Leader of Opposition alleged that this “modus operandi” resorted to by the government of the day is because they are desperate to continue with this whole exercise of facilitating illegal mining and transportation at the cost of the interest of the people and the state.
“They are destroying the state it is as simple as that,” he stated.
By Our Reporter
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